The Tug-of-War Within: Overcoming Flesh to Serve the Spirit

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Galatians 5:17 (KJV)

Devotional

Sometimes it feels like life is an uphill battle, doesn’t it? You want to do the right thing, be a good person, maybe even be closer to God. But distractions are everywhere—parties, substances, negative influences. They tug at you, trying to pull you away from what you know is right.The Bible has a simple but powerful message about this. In Galatians 5:17, it says that our human desires are always in conflict with what the Holy Spirit wants for us. It’s like there’s a tug-of-war going on inside us. This isn’t a new struggle; it’s as old as humanity itself. But take heart in knowing that God gave us a guidebook to navigate these struggles—the Bible. In Ephesians 6:12, it’s said,

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

You’re not just fighting earthly temptations; it’s a spiritual battle. Galatians 5:17 lays it out clearly: our human wants and God’s Spirit are often at odds. It’s a daily conflict, but there’s hope. James 4:7 says,

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (KJV)

When you’re fighting that battle, you’re not fighting alone. Surrender your struggles to God, resist the bad stuff, and watch the enemy back off. If you’re teetering between the world and God, Joshua 24:15 reminds us,

Choose you this day whom ye will serve. Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

There’s no in-between. When you choose God, you’re choosing the ultimate source of light, love, and guidance. So, if you’re struggling to keep that inner light alive, think of Psalm 119:105,

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Open that Bible, cling to its wisdom, and let God be the lamp that lights up your life. Even the tiniest flicker of light can drive out darkness, and that divine light lives within you. Let go, Let God.